Would-be candidates for the Twin Lakes Area’s municipal offices may begin filing their petitions to run for office today.

Arkansas municipal offices are nonpartisan races contested on the November general election ballot. To be considered for a municipal office like mayor or city council member, the hopeful candidate must file a petition with the Baxter County Clerk’s office.

To be considered valid, signatures must be those of active registered voters in the city where the candidate is seeking election. Once a candidate’s signatures are verified by the Clerk’s Office, the candidate must sign a political practices pledge and complete an affidavit of eligibility before they can be placed on the November ballot.

The deadline to file to run for a municipal position is noon on Friday, Aug. 17.

In Baxter County, the mayoral positions in all eight cities will be contested this fall, with those elected taking office on Jan. 1, 2019, and serving four-year terms.

In February, Mountain Home Mayor Joe Dillard announced that he would not be seeking another term in office. At least three candidates have declared their intentions to run for mayor.

The city council seats in seven of Baxter County’s eight cities will be contested in the general election. Council members serve two-year terms except for the City of Briarcliff, whose council members serve alternating four-year terms in office.

The 2018 general election will be held across the state on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Early voting for the election will begin on Monday, Oct. 22.

For additional information on filing a petition to be considered for a municipal office, contact Baxter County Clerk Canda Reese at (870) 425-3475.